Aussie Bound
Family Tales & Shenanigans
by admin | on December 23rd, 2010 |
When I first started Raspberry Kids, the intention was to create a fulfilling job for myself that offered me more flexibility than my previous employment situation in the corporate rat race. I gave up a steady paycheque, benefits, swag, an ergonomic work station and endless amounts of meetings and conference calls in exchange for the freedom to do things on my own terms and have the ability to do things how I wanted, when I wanted.
I realize you may see a lot of humor in this because the reality of what I created was far different than what I had planned or envisioned. Someone once said to me “You work 80 hours a week for yourself so you don’t have to work 40 hours a week for someone else” and that has certainly resonated with me. I don’t just have bags under my eyes from being awake through the night with the kids, I attribute those bags to working a ridiculous amount of hours to make sure we’re staying on top of everything so we don’t let our customers down.
After what feels like an eternity and working very hard and very long hours, I will be taking a bit of a hiatus. This hiatus comes in the form of a 6 week getaway to Australia where my husband is from to visit with our friends and family and for our children to hang ten with their Aussie cousins. My mother-in-law lives just outside Surfer’s Paradise and I would like to tell you that it isn’t as great as it sounds but I have to be honest, it is EVEN BETTER than it sounds. We have dear friends in Sydney and Brisbane and we have a week stay planned in one of my fave places on this entire planet, Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast of Australia.
Those of you who know me well or who follow me on Twitter or through our facebook page will know that I do not “unplug” easily and of course I will still be checking in from time to time. I will have dedicated work weeks but for the first time in a very long time, I will also have dedicated “play weeks”. Seriously, we all need more play weeks in our lives, wouldn’t you agree?
I’m very excited to meet up with some industry folks I have met and formed relationships with through Raspberry Kids and you can bet I will be on the hunt for more amazing products to add to the Raspberry Kids collection but I will also be taking some time out for me. I’m thinking surf lessons from my surf sherpa (a.k.a. my hubby), a healthy fitness regimen (something that has been seriously lacking for the past few months over the lead up to the busy busy holiday season) and having a Fosters and throwing another shrimp on the barby. Seriously though, no one drinks Fosters in Australia, that line was just for dramatic effect. I will definitely be sampling a few Aussie reds though!
I want you to be rest assured that while I am away, the Raspberry Kids Team will be taking great care of you and I will still be in contact with them regularly to assist in any way. Your emails will still be responded to promptly, orders will be filled quick smart and it will be business as usual at Raspberry Kids HQ.
When I return, I guaranty it will be with a renewed level of energy and enthusiasm, hopefully a little lighter and firmer (we have a friend who is a personal trainer who has agreed to put me through a condensed version of her 12 week fitness program) and with the same commitment to innovation, quality and service excellence you have come to expect from us.
It has been quite the year and we thank each of our valued customers, suppliers, media partners, family and friends for a fabulous 2010. We have plenty of exciting things “in store” for 2011.
G’day mates.
Sue
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Sue Sinclair, Chief Executive Mom, Raspberry Kids
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